Tunneling-machine.



TUNNELING MACHINE.

(Application led Apr. 6, 1,897.)

(Nu Model.)

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Patented hec. 3|, |901.

No. 69mm.

J. E. ENNIS.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 6, 1897.)

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(No Model.)

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ATTORNEYS N0. 690,l37. Patented Dec. 3l, |90I. J. E. ENNIS.

'ruN/NE'LING mAcHmE.

(Application led Apr. 6, 1897.) (No Modal.) l2 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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No. 69%,!137. Patented Dec. 3|, |901. J. E. ENNIS.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

(Application tiled Apr, 6, 1897.)

(No Model.)

I2 shuts-Sheet 5.

W/TNESSES /NVENTOH :mrnonms Prrzns co, Pham-LITRO., whsmnuon. D. c..

No. 69U,|37. Patented Dec. 3|, 190|.

J. E. ENNIS.

TUNNELING MACHINE.

Application filed Apr. 8, 1897.) (No Model.) y l2 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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ATTORNEYS No. @90337. Y Patented Dec. 3|, 190|.

J. E. Enms.

TunNELlNG MAcHlm-z.

(Application led Apr. 6, 1897.)

(No Model.) l2 sheets-sheet 7.

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Patented Dec. 3|, |901.

.1. E. sums. TUNNELING MACHINE.

(Appnmion med Apr. e, 1397.)

I2 Sheats-Sheet 8.

(No Model.)

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No. 69mm. 'Patented nec. 3|, ram.-

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(Appution med Apr. e, 1897.)4 (Hu Model.)

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No. 690,137. Patented Dec. 3|, I90I.

J. E. ENNIS. TUNNELINE MACHINE. (Application filed Apr. 6. 1897.) (No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet I0.

A TTORNEYS dll.;

` w/TNESSES f No. 696,!37. Patented Dec. 3|, |901.

.L E. ENNNIS.

TUNNELI'NG mAcHmE.

(Applicationv led Apr. 6, 1897.) (No Model.) I2 Sheets-Sheet Il.

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No. 69mm. Patented nec. 3|, won

.1. E. sums.

TUNNELING MAGHINE.

(Application med. Apr. 8, ISBYJ (na mmap.) l2 shee1s-sneet lz.

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STATES JOHN E. ENNIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TUNNELlNG-MACHINE.

SPEGEFIGATEGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,137, dated December 31, 1901.

Application tiled April 6, 1897. Serial No. 630,950. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom. t 'may concern.:

Beit known that I, JOHN E. ENNIS, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Tunneling-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanisms for constructing tunnels; and it primarily has for its objectto provide a mechanism for this purpose which Will serve to dig the tunnel to its proper shape without blasting and which at the same time will support the newly-made tunnel-Walls until the same are faced with a brick or other suitable lining.

This invention also comprehends certain novel constructions and improved arrangement of parts in mechanisms of the character stated which will dig a tunnel of a circular form and which has its digging feed mechanism, and supporting` means so arranged that as a new portion is being dug the previously-cut portion can be bricked, whereby to render the operation of digging and lining the tunnel-wall practically a simultaneous one.

Furthermore, my invention Aseeks to provideatunneling-machinehavinganimproved form of diggeror shovel so operated as to cut into the tunnelhead spirally, whereby to quickly and to effectively remove the earth and facilitate the feed of the digging mechanism forward.

Another object of this invention is to provide certain improvements in tunneling-machines, includinga novel form of digger-plow, which operates to cut into the tunnel-head spirally and effects such operation iirst through the outer extremity of the cut-out tunnel-walls and then reversely from the center of the cut formed outward toward the perimeteror outer edge of the wall.

Another and essentialobject of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism of 4the kind specified involving a peculiar construction of cutting-shovel adapted to move spirally in reverse directions and also in a direct forward Vline when necessary to enter at the sides of a boulder, whereby its spiral movement will serve to pull out the boulder.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tunneling-machine having a positive means for holding the freshly-made Walls of the tunnel in a true shape as the new cut is being made and the portion at the rear of the wall-supporting means is being lined.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a digging mechanism, means for operating the said digging mechanism spirally, straight ahead, and reversely, and conveyer devices continuously operated in one direction as the digger is operated in either direction.

With various other objects in View, Which will hereinafter be particularly referred to, the invention consists in a tunneling-machine embodying the peculiar combination and novel arrangement of parts, such as will first be described in detail and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 1 on Sheets 1 and 2 representa vertical longitudinal section of my tunneling-machine, showing the same as in use, the digger parts and supporting-frame being in the position they assume as the plow reaches a cutting position, about one-third of its cut from the center to the outer edge, the section of the operating mechanism being taken practically on the line 1 l of. Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a front elevation ot' the operating 1nechanism,parts being in cross-section. Fig. 3 is a detail face View of the master-Wheel, showing the relative positions of the diggerarms and the buckets. Figs. 4, 4, 4b, and 4c represent each a quarter-section of a horizontal plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the main and supplemental frames and diggeroperating means, the section being taken practically on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail View of the double clutch devices hereinafter' specifically referred to. Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section of the lower end of the master-wheel, the frame supporting it, and one of the drive devices for the diggerplow arm. Fig. 7 is a similar detailvertical section of the operating-gear mechanism. Fig. 8 is a front face View of the master-wheel and the cam carried thereby. Figs. 9, 10, and ll are cross-sections taken on the lines 9 9 10 10 ll 1l of Fig. 8. Figs. 12 and 13 are side elevations, partly in section, illustrating a pair of frame members forming one of the main f rame-sections E, said views being taken sub- IOO stantially on the lines 12 12` and 13 13 of.Figs. 16 and 17, respectively. Figs. 14. and 15 are face Views of the sections shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Figs. 16 and 17 are views of the opposite ends of one of the aforesaid section members. Figs. 18 and 19 are detail views of the rail-shifting devices. Figs. 2O and 21 are detail sections of one of the diverging shovel-arms and of the central or hinged arm. Figs. 22, 23, and 24 are detail views illustrating one section of one of the .supplemental frame-supporting rims; Figs. 25, 2b', and 27, side and end views of the shifting mechanism hereinafter referred to. Fig. 2S is adiagram showing the pawl-socket in the mechanism just mentioned split and opened out flat to illustrate the internal groove.

In its practical construction my invention embodies generally a main or supporting frame, a supplemental frame upon which the main frame is held to slide, and an annular shield upon which the entire structure rests and which in itself is formed of a series of members independently movable in a longitudinal direction automatically by suitable feed devices held on the main supportingframe.

'Io make the construction and operation ol' my invention the more readily understood, I shall first describe the structure and operation in a general way before specifying in detail the peculiar combination and novel arrangement of parts and the detailed manner of operation thereof.

The shield or supporting-frame is composed of a series of longitudinally-disposed members arranged in a circle the tread or external diameter of which is the diameter of the tunnel beforeit is lined. These members are in the nature of I-beams or rails and serve for a number of distinct purposes-first, to provide an external shield or bearing which supports the walls of the newly-cut tunnel preparatory to its being lined; second, to provide a creeping or feed means for carrying the entire structure forward toward the head of the tunnel, and, third, to form suitable guides for supporting the supplemental and main frames and facilitate their ready operation. All of the shield-railsl except a predetermined number have a free sliding connection with the sliding mechanism and are movable independent of each other. The others are xedly connected with the supplemental frame and form the supports therefor and are movable forward with said frame. The main frame is held for longitudinal movement on the supplemental frame, and as it is moved forward it carries with it the gear mechanism which operates the digging devices. In practice the shield is formed of one hundred and twenty (more or less) independeutly-movable rails and twelve (more or less) rails lixed ly connected to and movable with the supplemental frame. The gear devices in the structure shown are so arranged that at each complete revolution-of the master cog-wheel twelve of the independently-movable rails are moved one at a time and successively outward, ten revolutions of the said wheel serving to move out the entire set of rails a predetermined distance.

In the operation of the machine the master cog-wheel moves all of the independentlymovable rails forward, and after they vhave all been thus moved acertain operating mechanism for imparting a spiral feed to the plug or digger is turned out of gear, as will hereinafter be fully explained, and after the said movable rails have all been moved forward by the action of the master cog-wheel additional revolutions are imparted to such wheel, the purpose of which is to carry the diggeroperatingfmechanism and the digger-plow directly forward to a predetermined distance, and when this has been done the digger-plowoperating mechanism is again set in gear to impart a proper movement to the said digger-plow. This operation is repeated until the main frame and the parts carried thereby are moved forward their full movement on the supplemental frame. By means of certain screw-operated devices the supplemental frame is again moved forward on lthe rails to its furthermost forward position.

It should be stated the digger-operating gear mechanism is arranged to impart either a spiral movement to the shovel -carrying frame or a direct thrust thereof, and the master-wheel and the gear mechanism carried with it are constructed to impart a reverse motion to the digger, said digger being also constructed to dig in the spiral path first directly from the center to the circumference of the cut and then back from the circumference of the said cut to the center.

Having thus described generally the operation of my invention, I shall now describe in detail the mechanism by which the results stated are attained.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters indicate like parts, A A indicate a series of beams or rails which are arranged in a circle equidistantly apart, as best shown in Fig. 2. Upon these beams or rails are mounted supplemental annular supporting-frames B B', (see Fig. 1%) the two frames being spaced a suitable distance apart and connected by a series of longitudinal arms C and a series of screw-rods D, the purpose of which will presently appear. The supplemental frames B B' are formed each of sections, as best shown in Figs. 22 and 2, by reference to which it will be observed said frames have suitable bearing-blocks b b for the rods D and also bearings for the arms C. To facilitate their movement, the frames B B' each have a series of .frictional rollers b2, preferably of sufficient number to enga-ge every alternate one of the series A, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. Each of the twelve rails A is fixedly attached to each frame B B', whereby the two frames B B are rigidly connected to form the supplemental supporting-frame IOO IIO

which rides on the rails A, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, by reference to which it will be also seen that each twelfth rail A is iixedly attached to the frame members B B', whereby to rigidly connect the said frames B B' to form the supplemental frame above referred to.

The main frame-that is, that part of the machine that supports and carries the digger mechanism-includes a series of frame-sections which are mounted to slide upon a series of bars C, which act as guides and also as means for the more rigidly securing the frames B B as a whole. On these bars the said frames (indicated by E) move, and these frames are also mounted upon and caused to slide back and forward by means of screwrods D, the complete function and operation of which will presently more fully appear, said rods joining with the frame-sections B B'.

Each frame-section, one of which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 6, l2, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, consists of a body portion E, having threaded apertures E', through which the screw-rods D pass. One edge of each projected portion ol' the frame-section E is cut oif at an angle, as at e2, radiating from the center axis of the complete annular frame composed of all the sections E, while the other edge is cut off at such an angle as to provide for a proper annular wedge assembling of the several sections E and also to provide for bearing-boxes e3 e4 on the rear face of the section to receive the pintles of the rock-shaft F, one end of which is connected to a crank member g, (see Figs. 18 and 19,) which extends ont to the front of a vertical extension fof the section, which has a half groove or channel wayf2, which in connection with a similar channel-way on thel extension f3, formed in the angle edge of the adjacent section, provides a groove in which the shank g of a sliding arm G moves, (see Fig. 1%) which arm carries a roller g2 for a purpose presently explained. It should be stated each section E has a rock-shaft F, and a crank and sliding arm connected to each shaft is provided at the meeting ends of each pair of sections.

Each section E is ofa length to take in ten of the shield-rails, and the meeting ends of each pair of sections E are provided at their peripheral edges with a bearing portion c5 for the purpose presently explained.

Upon each rock-shaft F is mounted a dog H, movable laterally thereon, and which is connected with an endless cable I, which is common to all the dogs of the entire series of Sections and which connects with and is operated by a shifting mechanism at the end of each complete rotation of the master cogwheel, as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

By referring now more particularly to Figs. 4 and 17 it will be noticed each rail A has a clamping member d, and the members ct engage with cut-out portions A of the rails A, and they are detachably connected therewith. Each of the said clamping members Ct has projecting shoulders ct', a backing-shoulder a4, and stopshoulders a2 es, between which the portions e5 of the frame-segment E play and alternately abut.

The sections E form the main or annular rim of the main frame, which rim has an internal seat EX, within which is supported and held to revolve the main or master cog-wheel J, which, as will be seen, is spokeless and has a central annular external or guide iian ge J X, with which and the peripheral edges J the friction-rollers'yjs engage.

The master-wheel J (see Figs. 8 to ll) carries on its rear face a suitably-arranged cam K, the ends of the groove of which are open. This cam K is so disposed relatively to the rollers g2 that it will successively en gage such rollers as the wheel J revolves and draw such rollers g2 inward. This successive inward movement of the rollers g2 and the arms G is the means utilized to move the several rails A forward, which operation is best explained as follows: By referring to Figs la, 17,- and 19 it will be seen that the dog H on the rock-shaft E is held normally-that is, when the arm G is at its outward position-in engagement with the shoulder ct on the rail-clamp member d. Now as the cam K on the wheel J engages and pulls the roller g2 and the arm G inward it will rock the shaft E and cause its dog to push the rail forward in the direction indicated by dotted arrow in Fig. 1, after which the cam K will force the arm G and its roller g2 back again to its outer position. This operation is repeated until all theprollers g2 and arms G have been engaged by the cam K, which occurs during each complete revolution of the wheel J, thereby forcing out twelve of the rails A a predetermined distance into the head of the tunnel. After the cam K engages the last roller g2 on each complete revolution of the wheel J it engages a shifting mechanism and operates the same to pull on the cable I, connected to all the dogs, and move the entire set of dogs laterally the distance of one rail on their respective shafts E. The construction of this shifting mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 25, 26, and 27, by reference to which it will be seen that such mechanism comprises a ratchet-disk L, having a series of notches Z (ten being used in the construction shown) and a smooth peripheral portion Z ofa length equal that of the space of two notches, the purpose of which will presently appear, such notches being relatively so spaced apart as to represent the distance between a pair of shield beams or rails. This disk is loosely held on a short shaft M, supported in a bracket m, secured to the main frame at mx, (see Fig. 2,) and such disk has a hub m', having a groove Im2, around which the cable I is wound, such cable also passing over guide-rolls m16.

M3 indicates a haugerframe loosely held on the shaft M, which is normally held up to the position shown in Fig. 2, it being held to such position by the spring-dog m4, mounted on the said frame M3 and provided with a beveled IOO IIO

IIS

end to engage with the notched disk L. (See Fig. 25.) At one end the frame m3 has a tubular socket m5, in which is held a slide-pawl m6, the lower end of which connects with the bracket end m7 of a push-rod m8, slidable lengthwise of the frame m3 and held in suitable brackets on such frame, such rod being normally held to push the pawl m6 up into engagement with the disk L vby the spring 'm9, it also having a handle member m10. p

The purpose of the pawl m6 is to hold the frame m3 and the ratchet-disk L in a proper relation, so that when the cam K on the wheel J comes into engagement with the roller projection m12 (see Figs. 2 and 27) the said disk L will be turned one notch, and to provide for a proper movelnent of thev pawl to turn the disk L in reverse directions as the wheel Jis turned transversely the socket m5 m5 on the frame m3, in which the pawl operates, is provided with a compound longitudinal and diagonal groove fm, with which a lateral stud m on the pawl engages, said groove 'm11 being of such arrangement that when the pawl is shifted or pushed down, which is effected by pressing the spring-actuated rod msdown, (said rod having a handle m10 and a piece m7 connecting with the pawl m6,) `the pawl m6 will be rotated and its beveled ends set to rotate on the disk to turn itin a reverse direct-ion, when the digger devices are set to move in a reverse direction. To prevent the pawls m6 rotating during the movement effected by the engagement therewith of the disk L during the' intermittent rotation of the said disk L, the member 'm60 is normally held to engage with the straight part m20 of the groove m11, the general arrangement of which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 28. The roller projection m12 lies in the path of the cam K and is engaged thereby immediately after the last one of a series of ten rails has been moved forward, thereby to swing the frame 'm3 first outward and then inward, it being understood by referring to Fig. 28 that as the pawl has an incline or bevel face it will climb out of the notch in which' it last seated on the outward swing of the frame and slip into engagement with next succeeding notch, andv thereby as the frame swings back again rotate the disk in the direction indicated by the arrow (see Fig. 2) and turn it to pull on the cable I sufficient to cause such cable in its movement to move all of the rail-engaging dogs H laterally the distance of one rail, whereby to bring them in position to engage such rails on the next rock movement of the shaft E. This operation is repeated until all of the movable rails A have been pulled forward, at which time the pawl m6 rests in the notch adjacent the smooth peripheral edge Z' of the disk, where it remains during the forward movement of the supplemental frame and the rails A', which is accomplished in the manner hereinafter described.

In the construction shown the digger devices complete their cut in one direction, and

as the next cut is eected by a reverse operation of the machine it follows that the next operation of the shifting-disk must also be reverse. Thisis effected by making the pawl m6 slidable in the socket `and at the same time rotatable therein. Thus by pushing the rod downward the pawl will be turned in a position to engage the disk and turn it on the first or outward movement of the frame M3 and climb over into the next notch by the inward movement of such frame.

s l shall now describe the manner inwhich the digger mechanism is moved automatically forward. This mechanism consists of a number of rods D, which extend longitudinally of the machine and are held fast at the opposite ends in the `outer and inner supplemental frame or annular rims B B', as clearly shown in Fig. l. These rods are each provided with short screw portions d2 d2, which pass through and engage the internally-threaded tubular extensions b3 b3, having chain or drive wheels B2 Bzfixedly connected therewith,and the said tubular extensions are carried by the main frame and are arranged to rotate on the stationary screw-rods as such frame is revolved, such rotation of the wheels B2 B2 being effected by means of a series of drive-cogs O O, Figs. l, 4b, andy, journaled in inwardly-extending bearings P P, supported on the main frame, which are held to mesh with the internal gear-wheel'J and to be rotated thereby.

In the present construction I employ six of the cogs O, each of which connects, by means of suitable chain-wheel gearing Q Q, with a yseries of four-of the chain-wheels B2 B2, suitable idlers Q being provided, so arranged as to impart the desired rotation to the several drive-wheels B2 B2, and thereby feed the tu nneling-machine forward or backward on the screws, which movement is effected by the reverse rotation of the gear J. The shaft of each drive-wheel O has a clutch member b4, with which engages a clutch-lever b5, which levers b5 are all connected to a chain or cable h6, which in turn is connected to a'shiftinglever 2, disposed adjacentthe operator-s platform R. By referring more particularly to Fig. 4 it will be noticed the flange E5 of the lOO main-frame sections has alimited movement been moved forward the distance stated the fi 'i drive-wheels B2 B2 are thrown out of gear by the lever 2 and held out of gear during the next ten revolutions of the gear J. During such ten revolutions of the said gear J the rail-feeding mechanism operates to pull successively the entire one hundred and twenty rails A forward until the shoulders CL2 engage the flange of the main frame. This operation is repeated until the main frame has been moved forward on the supplemental frame its full distance. Afterthe main frame is moved forward to its full extent on the supplemental frame such supplemental frame is pulled with the twelve rails A forward again its full extent, which operation is effected by reversing the movement of the gear J, the action of the main frame, and the drive'wheels B2, which at this time are held from longitudinal movement on the rods d of the supplemental frame by the shoulders azoftherailclamps, it being understood that as the wheels B2 B2are thus held from movement on the screw-rods, such rods will be fed forward and carry with them the supplemental frame. To back out the lengthwise-movement frames, a reverse operation of the main gear will effect such resuit, as during such operation the dogs H will engage the shoulders a4 of the railclamps to move the rails backward, and the flange E5 engages the shoulders CL3 to prevent the main frame moving forward.

At this point itshould be stated, that as the supplemental frame has suitable bearingrollers h2, Fig. 22, to facilitate the movement on the rails, and that by moving but one rail at the time, the twelve rails on the supplemental frame and the bearing of the entire structure will be on the other rails A, the inward pressure of the earth being on the said railsh'ield against which the single rails bear when they are pulled forward.

The master-gear J is driven by a main drive-gear R, mounted on a tubular shaft R', journaled in bearings R2, supported on the section R3 of the main frame, and-ou which are mounted a pair of drive-gears R4 R5, with which mesh at each side a pair of drive-gears S S S' S', mounted on crank-shafts T T', as clearly shown in Figs. 4, 4, 4", and 4C. These shafts are driven by the pitman-rods T2 2 of the engines T3 T3, arranged one at each side of the main drive-shaft R'.

R4 R5 indicate gears loosely mounted ou the tubular shaft R', and these gears are arranged to be alternately set to an operative position by suitable clutch devices. (Best shown in Figs. 1' and 5 and hereinafter more fullydescribed.) The gear R4 meshes with a slow gear S (see Fig. 4) and the gear R5 with a fast gear S'. By providing the two sets of gears R4 S and R5 S' the several parts just referred to can be so adjusted that when the plow works at or near its greatest circular sweep the slow gears R4 S can be quickly thrown out of op eration by a proper shifting of the clutch mechanism and the fast gears R5 S' likewise thrown into an operative position.

U U' indicate a pair of clutches held to slide on and to turn with the shaft R' and which are adapted to be alternately set by means of a clutch-ring U2, held between the hubs of the clutches U U', as clearly shown in Fig. 5, by reference to which it will be seen the ringhas a pair of lateral lugs M2M alternately disposed, which are adapted to be alternately moved into engagement with lugs u' u on the clutches U' and U.

The clutch-ring U2 is operated by a lever V, Figs. 4L and 5, connected to a crank portion of a rock-shaft V', Fig. 2, with which counects the hand-lever V2, as shown. By this arrangement ot gearing clutch devices it will be readily seen that by throwing the clutch U2 so its lug u2 engages the lug u' it will conneet the gear R5 with the shaft R' and rotate it at its rapid speed, while a further adjustment of the ring U2 will cause its opposite lug u2 to engage the lug u ou the clutch-ring U2 and connect the slower driving-gear with the shaft. By setting the ring so that both lugs u' u2 are held freed of the lugs tt u' both gears RL1 R5 will beheld from rotating and the shaft R' and master-wheel J also held from rotation.

As the gears R4 5 are held loosely on the shaft R', such shaft is provided with fixed clutch members W W', which the gears RR5 engage when moved to an operative position by the clutches U U', such clutches W WV' serving to produce a positive connection between the shaft R' and the gears R4 R5.

The masterwheel frame is extended forward, as at J5, and is provided with an annular external channel-way J10, in which are held series of guide and supporting rollers J3, having ianges J4 to receive the external flanges X X of a pair of annular drive-gears Y Y', Which have internal and external teeth y y', as clearly shown in Fig. 4C.

The drive-gears Y Y' are employed fordriving the diggers, and I therefore term such gears Y Y' the "digger-operating mechanism proper.

The digging devices (see Fig. 1) consist of a single digger-plow 10, mounted in a suitable carrier-head 11. This head has rearwardly-diverging sockets 12 12, in which are fixedly held the tubular arms 14 l5, threaded on the inside, as shown in detail in Fig. 20, to receive the threaded ends 16 17 of the rods 16'LL 17a, the ends ot' which terminateinyokes 16b 17b,which are connected, by means of universal joints 18 1S, to the yoke ends 1S) of rotatable shafts 20, (see Fig. 6,) journaled in the master-gear-carrying frame and which have drive-gears 2l, held to mesh with the external toothed rim of the drive-gear Y.

22 indicates a socketed arm, which has a hinged connection 22 with the head 11 and has internal threads 23b to receive the external threads 23L of the tubularshank 23, which is also provided with internal threads 23b to receive the externally-threaded end 24L of the rod 24, which has a yoke end 24', connected by the universal joint 25 with yoke end 26 of the shaft 26, held to rotate in hearings in the master-wheel frame and having a d rive-gear held to mesh with the external teeth of the drive-wheel Y'. To protect the th reads of the IOO IIO

several screw-Shanks from mutilation and undue Wear, they are arranged as shown in detail in Figs. and 2l.

The several arms or rods which join the digger to the master-gear fraine are connected thereto at one side of the center, as indicatedat l 2 3 in Fig. 3. The object of connecting the arms to the frame in this manner is to avoid the possibility7 of the shoveldropping a boulder onto the lowermost bucket 28, which bucket, as its mate 29 (at a diametrically opposite point,) is thereby always out of a direct opposite line of the plow 'or shovel. To operate the gears Y Y', I provide a pair of gears 30 3l, one of which is iixedly held on the end of a tubular shaft 33, held within the shaft R', while the other is secured on the end of a shaft 32, held within the shaft The shaft 32, Figs. 4and 4a, carries atits outer end a iixedcluteh-Wheel 32a and a loose drivegear 32", which is held in mesh with a drivegear 34 on a counter-shaft 34a, which sha-ft is also provided with a gear 34h, which meshes with a gear 35, loosely held on the shaft 33,

and a gear 36, which receives motion from a gear 37 on the main shaft R'. The shaft 33 has aclutch 34X, which has a shifting-arm 33", connected to a crank 330, secured on a hollow shaft 33d, mounted in suitable. bearings' and provided with an operating-lever 33e.. The shaft 33d is also provided with a crank member to which the end of a bandtive position.

brake 33f is secured, which passes over the clutch 33g, the clutch and brake-band cranks being so disposed on the shaft 33d that the movement of the lever in one direction will apply the band-brake and move the clutch to arelease position, While the opposite movement will reverse such action, the intermediate adjustment of the lever setting both the band and the clutch devices to an inopera- The shaft 32 is also provided AWith a brakeband and clutchoperating mechanism, constructed in the same manner as the above described devices, they being secured to a shaft 36, held to turn in the shaft 33d and provided with a lever 37.

To provide for driving the shafts 32 33l when the main shaft R' is not rotated by the engine, or to drive the said shafts 32 33 at a greater speed than is transmitted from the said shaft 3l, a gear 36 is slidably held on the counter-shaft 34,l which is adapted to be moved into or out of engagement with agear 37 on the shaft R' by means of a shifting-lever R20 (see Fig. 4) and into or out of mesh with a similar gear 40 on the shaft R10, that carries the gear S.

The manner in which the digger mechanism is operated is best explained as follows: Assuming the digger-plow to be moving from the perimeter of the cut toward the center and the master-gear operated to rotate to effect such movement and the shaft 32 heldin gear with counter-shaft 34a and the shaft 33 held to rotate free from direct gear connection with such shaft 34, the plow-carrying arms will be carried in acircle with the master-wheel frame and at the same time be moved spirally inward, which operationis effected as follows: As the shaft 33 turns freely in its bearings and as Athe frictional bearing of the gears carried by the shafts 20, to which the outer diverging arms of the digger-carrier are connected, is much greater than the resistance of the freelymovable shaft 33, it follows that as the master-wheel frame rotates the gears J3, which engage the external teeth of the gear Y', will become fixed gears and in consequence turn the wheel Y at a speed equal that of` the master-gear, such operation holding the diverging arms 14 l5 from a longitudinal feed movement outward, making such arms during their operation of a ixed length. Now when the shaft 32 is geared for a positive action it will rotate the gear-wheel Y' twice as fast as the masterwheel J, (which result is obtained by the different sizes of the gear-teeth,) and as it so rotates it will rotate the shaft 20, which carries the universal joint to which the hinged arm 24 of the shovel-carrier is attached, and thereby operatek the feed-screw 24a (see Fig. 21) to gradually swingthe shovel-carrier outward as it is carried in a circle with the master-gear frame, and thereby cause it to travel spirally inward toward the central axis of the tunnel, as before stated, it being obvious that when the motion of the digger-operating mechanism is in a reverse direction the operation of the feed-screw on the hinged arm will serve to draw the shovel-carrier inward as it digs from the center to the circumference of the tunnel-head, such reverse operation of the digger mechanism being effected by applying the brake to hold the shaft 32 from rotation, which serves to hold the gear-wheel Y from rotating, and as the plow, with its arms, is carried forward by the master-gear frame the gear engaging the external teeth of the wheel Y', now held from rotation, will be thereby revolved in a'reverse direction and pull the shovel inward as it travels from the center of the cut to the circumference thereof. To provide fora removal of a boulder in the path of the spiral cut of the shovel, the digger-operating meansis set to impart a continuous circular cutting movement to the shovel. This is accomplished by putting the shaft 33 in a direct gear connection with the shaft R', which will cause the gear 33 to impart a rotation to the wheel Y at the same speed as wheel Y travels, and as such wheel Y is thus rotated it will rotate the gears on the shafts to which the diverging arms of the shovelcarrier are connected, andin consequence feed out such arms uniformly with the outward feed of the central or hinged arm, thereby holding the carrier projected forwardin a fixed relation to the rotating members 24 24a to which it is attached as it is lfed directly forward, such adjustment' and feed of the screw-arms causing the plow todig a circular channel at one side of the boulder.

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seais? After the channel-way at one side is dug to a depth equal or more than the depth of the boulder the digger mechanism is adjusted to cause the plow to dig a circular channel at the other side ot' the boulder to a desired depth. The digger mechanism is then adjusted to cause the shovel to engage the boulder, which being thus previously loosened will readily be pulled out of the way. In case the boulder is of a very large and deeply-embedded nature the shovel can be moved spirally until it moves up to the boulder and then reversed until it engages the opposite side of the boulder, and such operation is repeated until the earth at each side of the boulder is removed sufficient to admit of the boulder being pushed out by the shovel. To further facilitate the removal of a boulder, a

' reciprocating-that is, an outward and inward-feed of the shovel is obtained by throwingthe main wheel J out of gear, which is done by throwing the shaft R' out of gear with the engines and at the same time shift the gear 40 so as to impart motion to the shafts 32 53 direct from one of the engine crank-shafts. By this adjustment the reversing of the engine will cause the shovel to be moved inward and outward at the side of the boulder, and thereby admit of the shovel getting back of the boulder and pulling the same out.

As before stated, the master-gear and the diggeroperating feed-gearing wheels are spokeless, so as to admit of the passage of an endless carriermeohanism. This mechanism, which is most clearly shown in Fig. la, consists of a chute 50, which is arranged to receive the dirt from the buckets 28 29 as they reach their highest point, such buckets having swinging bottoms 52, held normally closed by asuitable latch device adapted to be released byits triparm 53 engaging a stop 5-1, projected out from the main frame, as shown in Fig. la. While I have shown this form of releasing means, I desire it understood that any well -known means may be employed for dropping the bottom of the bucket as it reaches its dumping position.

55 indicates the endless chain of buckets, which passes over suitable guides and driverolls and which extends out to the extreme discharging end (see Fig. l) of the tunnel for a purpose presently explained, such endless chain of buckets being supported on hangers 56, (see Fig. 2,) secured to the main frame, and hangers 56a, supported on lthe pendent beams 58a 58h, in turn supported by the trussframe, which is held at one end on the masonry and at the other a supplemental traveling frame 57. (See Fig. 2.)

As the digger mechanism and the feed devices for moving the entire operating mechanism are arranged to be operated reversely and as the feed of the eonveyer must at all timesbeoutward,lprovideashaft 59,(see Fig. 2,) havinga sleeve 60, held to slide on the shaft 59, provided with a pair of bevel-gears 6l 62, which are adapted to be alternately moved into engagement with a drive-gear 63, held on one of the shafts of the cogs O, which mesh with the master-wheel J, such sleeve being adjusted by means of a train of crank-lever devices 65, which eonnectwith a lever l, disposed in convenient reach of the engineer. The gear 62 has a grooved pulley 62, over which and the pulley 62'U on the outer shaft 62c passes the endless cable 62, which operates the carrier.

The frame or end rest 57 is held to travel on a series of shield-rails 66, which are rigidly connected to the rails A A and at the bottom extend back a short distance from the frame 57, while at the top they extend back a considerable distance, so as to form suitable supports for the crown of the tunnel at points between the member 57 and the supports 58a 5S", they being made somewhat heavier than the rails A A to withstand the extra supporting strain.

The upper rails 66 are supported by means of a truss-frame 70, held at its front and fixedly connected to the slide or rest frame 57 and at its rear end on platform 7l, which is supported on the brick lining of the tunnel, as clearly shown in Fig. l, it being obvious that as the sides of the lining are brought up to the point shown the platform 7l is placed in position to provide for the travel forward of the truss-frame with the main or tunneling mechanism. To facilitate the travel of the truss-frame, its rear end has a series of roller-bearings 72 72, which ride on the platform 7l. 73 and 74 represent suitable bracing-rods for equalizing the Weight of the rails 66 on the truss-frame. To admit of a free movement for the masons, the ends of the rails are cut olf diagonally, as shown in Fig. 1.

To hold the masons scaffolding and other implements always in a proper relation to the digging mechanism and to carry it along with the said mechanism, I provide a movable platform 75, having trucks 76, which are held to travel on the bottom of the lined part of the tunnel. This platform is connected to the frame 57 by a suitable cable 77 and in practice carries all of the masons scaffolding and other material, (not shown,) it also having suitably-arranged tracks for the cars 78.

It will be noticed by reference to Fig. l that the endless carrier extends back to the point where the tunnel is completely' lined and that the distance between the beginning of the brickwork and the finished lining is such as to admit of a number of cars being run into that part of the tunnel being lined, such arrangement of parts being to allow thecars with the masons material to run up close to the Work.

To facilitate the operation of building the wall, two trackways for the cars are provided, which are joined by transverse carrier-platforms 80, the purpose of which is to allow the unloaded car to be moved transversely onto the other track and moved outward in position to receive the earth from the endless car- IOD IIO

rier, providing, as it were, for a simultaneous carrying of the material to the masons and carting away the earth delivered from the ple room always remains for the masons be-v tween the end of the fresh lining or wall and the end of the digging mechanism.

By constructing a tunnel in the manner shown and described a uniform cut or opening is made and the walls of the tunnel always properly supported and the danger of the walls caving in practically overcome. Fn rthermore, as the cutis made without blasting or hammering a tunnel can be safely cut nnder a waterway without danger of opening up crevces between the water-bed and the tunnel-top. Again, the operation of digging and lining is practicallya simultaneous one,as the entire mechanism is joined to move together.

Various changes in the details of construction and the arrangements of parts may be made without departing from the principle of my invention.

indicates a hoist (see Figs. 1 and la) held to travel o n the endless-carrier guide-frame 86 and which has suitable grapple-claws and is adapted to be run forward to the digger devices and lift any boulder which may drop in front of the digging mechanism and carry it rearward to the cars.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A tunnelingmachine, having a digger mechanism includinga plow movable in a circular sweep, means carried on the machine 'for imparting the said sweep movement to the plow and simultaneously forcing it forward and in a spiral direction, and means for automatically shiftingthe movement of the plow to cause it to travel from the perimeter of the machine inward, or from the axis of the machine outward during its sweep movement, for the purposes specified.

2. Atunneling-machinehavinga rotatableplow carrier and means for moving the plow radially to or from theaXis of its rotation, substantially as shown and described.

3. Inatunneling-machine,the combination with the digging mechanism, of a shield surrounding the same and forming a support therefor, said mechanism including means for holding the shield fast and moving itself forward, and for remaining stationary as it pulls the shield forward as specified.

4. Inatunneling-machine,thecombination with the digging mechanism, adapted to cut a circular opening, of a shield surrounding and supporting such mechanism, and formed l of a series of rails movable lengthwise, inde-` pendently, and means operated bythe digger mechanism for feeding such rails forward successively as the digger operates, as set forth.

5. In atunneling-machine,thecombination with the main frame, therdigging mechanism supported thereby, the supplemental frame, and connections joining such frames, the adjustment of which will set the two frames in position for movement backward or forward independently, a shield formed of a series of rails connected with the main frame, and independently movable, and means carried by the main frame, for moving such rails successively forward one at a time, as specified.

6. In a tunneling-machine, a digging mechanism, its supporting-frame, and a scaffoldplatform supported at one end upon the newly-made brick lining and at the other connected with the digging mechanism, whereby it is drawn forward with the Said mechanism as specified.

7. A tunnelingmachine, comprising a shield, a supporting-frame movable thereon, a digger-plow, mechanism carried by the s upporting-frame, said mechanism, including spokeless drive gear-wheels, elevator devices carried around with the said gear-wheels, means for imparting reverse movement to such gears, an endless carrier movable continuously in one direction through the said gear-wheels and means for operating such carrier for the purposes set forth.

8. In a tunneling-machine,the combination with the digging mechanism and the supporting-frames therefor, of the tunnel-crown-supporting means extended rearward from and connected to the said mechanism and a supporting-frame for such crown supporting means supported and movable at one end on the newly-made tunnel-lining and connected at the other end to the digging mechanism and movable forward therewith, as specified.

9. In a tunneling-machine as described,the combination with the supplemental frame, a series of shield-rails fixedly connected thereto, a main frame carrying the digger mechanism movable on the supplemental frame, a-series of independently forward movable shieldrails, means operated by the digger mechanism for successively moving singly each of the movable rails forward, and then moving the supplemental frame with its attached rails forward as specified.

10. In a tunneling-machine as described;

a supporting-frame; a digger-plow carried thereon; means for im parting a circular sweep to the said plow and for simultaneously feeding it forward radially in a spiral direction, as shown and for the purposes specified.

1l. In a tunneling-machine, the combination with the supplemental frame and the supporting-shield, of the main frame movable on the supplemental frame, the master-gear .I and the internal and externally toothed gearwheels Y Y' carried thereby, drive mechanism supported on the main frame for impart-- IOC IIO 

